By ANDREA LANNOM
The Register-Herald
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Passage of a bill to create a bill to create a fund designated to direct money to the State Police Forensic Laboratory is anticipated to help sort through the backlog of cases.
House Bill 2980 imposes additional fees in certain civil actions in which part of the fee would go to a newly-established State Police Forensic Laboratory Fund.
Of that fee, $10 would go to the county’s general fund and $5 would go to the State Police Forensic Laboratory Fund.
Civil actions falling under family court jurisdiction would not be subject to these fees.
Speaking after the bill passed the Senate 31-0, President Mitch Carmichael said, “I’m proud that with this small step, we will be able to help direct some much-needed money directly to the State Police’s Forensic Laboratory to help them work through some of their backlog. These men and women do tremendous jobs with extremely limited resources, and I’m proud of the efforts of House Judiciary Chairman John Shott in getting this fund set up through his committee’s work. ”
The measure passed the House of Delegates 89-7 with four members not voting.
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